by M. J. Joachim

Created on: June 10, 2009   Last Updated: June 14, 2009

Building Volunteer Relationships

If you want to retain your volunteers, the first thing you need to do is respect them for being so generous with their time. People are very busy these days, and those who fit volunteering into their schedules should be recognized for their generous spirit. Volunteers don't have to help anyone, they choose to. In so doing, they do their part in making the world a better place.

Volunteers sign up for things. They see a need, or are asked to provide a service. Sometimes they have little or no training, but they are recruited anyway. One of the easiest ways to retain volunteers is to properly train them on the task you expect them to provide. No one likes to feel insecure when providing a service, and most people take pride in what they do. Volunteers should be trained so they can feel confident in their task, and have success in its completion.

When you maintain a list of volunteers to help you achieve your goals, it is important to provide them with your contact information. Even though you train them, questions and circumstances come up that need staff input. The relationship you build with your volunteers must be founded on trust, and one of the easiest ways to build trust is through faithful interaction. Invite your volunteers to get to know you, and encourage them to feel comfortable coming to you with their questions and concerns.

It is important to communicate effectively with volunteers. They enjoy keeping up on the latest events of the company benefiting from their time. They also need to know when needs change, or other volunteers are absent. Clear communication is a necessity so that volunteers don't become frustrated when things don't flow smoothly, or more hours are needed. If you can relay your needs effectively, while supporting the needs of your volunteers through expected communication, you will have a much easier time retaining your volunteers.

Empower your volunteers with written schedules and contact information. Perhaps you run a bus route to take disabled people to the store on a regular basis. Maybe you have 4 drivers who volunteer, one for each week of the month. Creating a written schedule for them makes their job easier. You can include all the driver's names, and contact information so they can get a sub if they need to. Updating their schedules regularly helps them see a pattern in their volunteer cycle, allowing them to make plans when they aren't scheduled.

Provide extra materials as much as possible. Share handouts that expand on current volunteer tasks. Provide maps for drivers, highlighting the easiest routes for their convenience. Inform volunteers of classes they might be interested in taking that relates to their service. Purchase the latest tools and gadgets to make their work get done a little faster. All of these things make volunteers feel valued and appreciated, increasing their willingness to serve.

Volunteers are the backbone of many communities. They contribute long hours, and they do it for the satisfaction of helping others. Remember to thank them in big and little ways. Invite your volunteers to potluck parties and social gatherings, encouraging them to develop friendships with each other. Send thank you notes specifying something you noticed. Mention them by name in the monthly newsletter or blog. Make a point to let them know that what they do matters. If you want to retain your volunteers, you need to remember that they are people with generous spirits who work hard and have feelings, just like you.

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